More information
Description
PODIP (Podscasting for Diversity, Inclusion and Peacemaking) is a project that aims to teach creating and distributing podcasts to mainly vulnerable groups and other civil society organizations and provide program spaces at Island Talks podcast channel to start their own podcast shows in order to support diversity, inclusion and peace-making among the communities in Cyprus. In parallel, PODIP will work to bring together the podcast community of Cyprus and enhance podcasting as a means to support alternative media on the island.
During the life-time of the PODIP project, the civil society and vulnerable groups will be trained on the methods and tools for content creation, podcast production, distribution and promotion, as well as peace-journalism, constructive dialogue and social media activism. Following the completion of the training, PODIP will launch a call for applications to start new podcasts in the Island Talks station as a means to give voice to the vulnerable groups and other civil society activists. Island Talks will undertake distribution of these podcasts to all global podcast directories and platforms.
Launched as a bicommunal and trilingual podcast initiative by the Cyprus Peacemaking Initiative in 2020, the Island Talks Podcast station is an open, diverse and independent citizen media initiative that aims to give voice to reason in Cyprus. Currently hosting 8 shows in English, Greek and Turkish; Island Talks – www.islandtalks.fm - has been listened to in more than 60 countries globally.
Summary of project results
The PODIP (Podcasting for Diversity, Inclusion, and Peace-making) project aimed to address the lack of skills and opportunities among civil society activists, particularly those from vulnerable groups, to create and disseminate content through alternative media channels such as podcasts. The project sought to empower these groups by providing them with the necessary skills to produce their own podcasts, thereby enabling them to advocate for their needs and issues more effectively. Additionally, the project aimed to enhance communication and peace journalism skills among participants, addressing the challenge of limited media representation for marginalized communities.
The PODIP project implemented a series of activities to achieve its objectives. It organized five training sessions on podcasting and communication, three networking events, and trained 49 civil society activists from 18 organizations, including 10 bicommunal groups. The project developed and delivered training modules on podcasting and communication for content creators in English, Greek, and Turkish. It also supported the creation of eight new podcast shows on the Island Talks platform, with three already launched and the remaining five scheduled for launch by the end of 2023. The project enhanced the capacity of the Island Talks podcast station by upgrading its hosting, setting up a professional email domain, and subscribing to Squadcast, a professional online podcast recording service.
The PODIP project achieved significant results in empowering civil society activists and enhancing their capacity to create and disseminate content through podcasts. The project trained 49 individuals from both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, equipping them with skills in podcast production, peace journalism, and effective communication. The creation of eight new podcast shows provided a platform for marginalized voices to be heard, covering topics such as gender equality, migration, queer communities, and bicommunal peace-making efforts. The project also facilitated networking and collaboration among civil society groups, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. The enhanced capacity of the Island Talks platform further supported the dissemination of diverse and inclusive content, contributing to the overall goal of promoting diversity, inclusion, and peace-making in Cyprus.